Every winter, I try to make sure my car is in shape for the ‘elements’ so I do a few bits of maintenance that I’ve found to be really beneficial. While $100 isn’t something that’s just lying around for everyone, it is a good investment for your vehicle to ensure that you won’t have to replace your engine and that it will last through the winter for many years to come.

Car Winterization Tips

Change Oil

Cost: $30

When I get an oil change in the winter, I make sure to have 5W30 oil put in the car. Most shops do that as a standard in the winter, but it’s always good to check. (Also, be sure to double check your car manufacturer’s suggestions.) The 5W30 oil is thinner, so it makes for easier starts and more fluidity. This is important in the winter especially because the colder something is, the harder it gets – so keeping fresh oil in your car is a must.

The shop I go to usually fills all my fluids and checks the air in my tires, which is really important because the colder it gets, the more air your tires lose.

Wiper Blades

Cost: $20

I like to get winter blades because they’re a little heavier and manage the snow and ice better. it’s good to get new blades every six months or so anyways, so I get the thicker blades in winter and regular in the spring and summer.

Keep Gas Tank Full

Cost: $5

This is a normal monthly budget item, so I won’t include the cost to fill a tank of gas in this list. I mention it, though, because some older vehicles can have frozen fuel lines if your gas tank is below a quarter of a tank. This can cause the car to not start in the mornings, which can be very frustrating. I try to keep my car at half way full and put in a bottle of HEET twice in the winter. You can get 2-3 bottles for about $5 and it helps to remove water from your fuel to keep it from freezing.

Emergency Kit

Cost: $30

Most auto parts stores will have emergency kits for your vehicles which can be very helpful in case you ever have vehicle problems. These kits usually include: jumper cables, ‘fix-a-flat’, a blanket, gloves, tools, a flashlight, and even a flare for signaling. I actually need to pick up one of these kits this year for our second vehicle…so hopefully I won’t need any of this in the next couple of days.

Car Wash

Cost: $5

If you live in the north, you know how the salt for de-icing roads can really damage your car. Keep your car clean by running it through the car wash every month or so. This will not only keep the outside looking nice, but will clean out the salt from underneath – which can really have a harmful effect on your car.

Our small group is doing a Bible study on Hebrews and this week was Hebrews 11, the faith chapter. Most people turn to this chapter when they’re looking for bible verse about faith. Just the first verse in Hebrews chapter 11 gives us a great definition to help us understand the answer to the question, what is faith?

Now faith is being sure of what you hope for and certain of what you do not see. – Hebrews 11:1

Bible Study on Hebrews Chapter 11: The Faith Chapter

There are quite a few Bible verses about faith – just take a look at the 50+ listed below! But if you only had time to read just one chapter in the Bible and you wanted to focus on scriptures about faith, Hebrews chapter 11 is the place to turn.

Here’s a few points from Hebrews 11 that we discussed in our small group:

Godly legacies come by faith (Heb. 11:4)

Pleasing God comes by faith (Heb. 11:6)

Righteousness comes by faith (Heb. 11:7)

Our inheritance comes by faith (Heb. 11:8-10)

Our worship comes by faith (Heb. 11:21)

Resurrection from death comes by faith (Heb. 11:35)

Having ‘faith’ in God means so much more than believing that he created the universe. Even the demons believe that there is a God, and they shudder at the idea according to James 2:19.

Our faith is an instrument by which we are justified through Christ. It’s also the action through which a person receives the righteousness that comes through Christ (Rom 3:22 and Phil 3:9).

For believers, faith is a way of life. In Hebrews chapter 11, the author gives us a brief history lesson highlighting the lives of these Heroes of Faith. From Abel to Moses, Abraham and David these heroes and heroines of faith lived with an earnest expectation to seek God and to grow in a relationship with Him.

Be encouraged as you read Hebrew chapter 11 and the following Bible verses about faith!

50+ Great Bible Verses About Faith

Habakuk 2:4

See, he is puffed up; his desires are not upright but the righteous will live by his faith

Psalm 20:7

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.

Psalm 118:9

It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.

Matthew 14:31

Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

Matthew 15:28

Then Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

Matthew 17:20

He replied, “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.

Mark 4:39-40

He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

Luke 7:9

When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.”

Luke 17:5-6

The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.

Luke 18:8

I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

John 11:25-26

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26 and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

Acts 16:31

They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”

Acts 26:18

17 I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them 18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

Romans 1:17

For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

Romans 3:22

This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.

Romans 3:28

For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.

Romans 14:1

Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters.

II Corinthians 5:7

We live by faith, not by sight.

Galatians 2:16

know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified.

Galatians 2:20

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Galatians 3:8

The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.”

Galatians 3:9

So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.

Galatians 3:11

Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.”

Galatians 3:24

So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ[a] that we might be justified by faith.

Galatians 3:26

You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus,

Ephesians 6:16

In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

Philippians 2:17

But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.

Philippians 3:9

and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.

I Thessalonians 1:3

We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

I Thessalonians 5:8

But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.

II Thessalonians 1:3

We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing.

1 Timothy 6:12

Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

1 Timothy 1:19

holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith.

2 Timothy 4:7

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Philemon 1:6

I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.

Hebrews 4:14

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.

Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

Famous Bible Passage on Faith and Deeds

One of the most talked about passages in the Bible when it comes to faith is James 2:14-26. This passage discusses faith and good works (or faith and deeds).

James 2:14-26

Faith and Deeds

14 What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 15 Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”

Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

20 You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? 21 Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.

25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

If you were encouraged by these scriptures about faith, hit the like button or give this article a +1.

What if you are one of the many millions of people who have little chance of having a million dollar retirement portfolio by the time you reach 65? Should you abandon the idea of retirement completely and plan on working until you die?

Hardly.

The reality is that most people will enter retirement with something much less than $1 million. The ability to retire is often more dependent upon factors beyond your retirement portfolio.

Here are some ways to enable you to eventually have some form of retirement, even if you will never amass a retirement fortune.

Cut your living expenses

A major reason why retirement portfolios need to be so large today is the high standards of living we’ve all become accustomed to. You can cut down on the amount of money that you’ll need in retirement by cutting back on your living expenses now.

This will accomplish two positive goals. First, it will free up more money now so that you can invest it either in your retirement portfolio or in other income producing ventures. You can also use it to payoff debt.

Second, if you begin living on less money now, you’ll already be conditioned to live on less when you reach retirement. You may find that you don’t need a $100,000 income in retirement, and you can actually get by quite nicely on $30,000. If that’s the case, you won’t need such a large retirement portfolio.

Cutting your living expenses can include living in a less expensive home, driving a less expensive car, and spending less on everything that you buy. You can also learn to enjoy free and low cost activities, rather than so much of the gold plated entertainment we all take advantage of today. Contentment–not entertainment–should be the goal.

Get out of debt

This is growing problem for today’s retirees. Accustomed to a lifetime of debt, people in retirement have credit card bills, car loans and even large mortgage balances. All of these debts will increase the amount of retirement income needed, and also the size of the retirement portfolio that you will need to provide that income.

Just by paying off any debts that you have, you’ll need less income in retirement than most people do. In addition, the cash flow gain from paying off debt is usually much greater than the income you will receive on a comparable amount of money invested.

Plan to semi-retire

There’s nothing to say that you have to completely retire and stop working when you reach a certain age. You can choose to continue working, but cut back on your work. Social Security income and at least some return on your retirement portfolio, and the income from a part-time job or business may provide all the income that you need. Finding some kind of work that you don’t feel the need to escape from may be the key.

Create passive income sources

You can also create income streams that are unrelated to employment or to your retirement portfolio. A small income producing rental property is one way to do this. By buying early in life, you’ll have time to payoff the mortgage (with the tenant‘s money), and provide a large share the rental income as an additional source cash flow in retirement.

Delay your retirement

If all else fails you can also delay retirement. This will help you on two fronts. By delaying retirement you’ll give yourself more time to accumulate additional retirement savings and other income sources. But it will also cut back on the number of years that you will need to draw down retirement assets.

It also helps Social Security income. Social Security benefits increase if you delay your retirement past was is considered normal retirement age, up to age 70. You can increase your Social Security benefits as much is 32% by delaying your retirement from age 66 to age 70.

Retirement isn’t a hopeless situation just because you won’t be a millionaire retiree. You just have to get a bit creative and look in other directions for ways to provide for yourself. And that shouldn’t be too difficult considering that you’ve already been doing that all your life.

Will you have a million dollar retirement portfolio? If not, what other plans are you making?

In this ever-changing world in which we live, all of us feel a little “un-balanced “ at times in our lives. What can we do to help us recognize what is causing that unbalanced feeling and how should we go about fixing it?

Let’s first identify some of the areas in our lives that we must keep in balance. There are home responsibilities, work responsibilities, community responsibilities, religious responsibilities, educational responsibilities, and social responsibilities – to name just a few.

Home

In your home responsibilities you need to find a balance between all of the many things that you have to do there. For example, who are you at home? Are you a parent, spouse, teacher, cook, seamstress, gardener, doctor, vet, cheerleader, lover, and friend? All of these many responsibilities can wear you down and cause you to feel off-center.

It is important that you “job share” these responsibilities. The more you can communicate and share as a family the more understanding and help you will have and will also be able to give. Sometimes when things are stressing you out in another area, it is nice to feel like you have a back-up team that can help maintain the balance.

Work

The same holds true to some degree with employment responsibilities. The more you can communicate your needs and expectations, the more you will be able to help those around you be able to better balance their loads. If you are “stuck in a rut”, maybe it’s time to take some classes on new, exciting things; or maybe it is time to enroll in continued education so that you can get a (better) job doing something that you will really love.

Community

Everyone has community responsibilities. We might not sit on the city council, but we still have a responsibility to those who are our neighbors and those who provide services to us. We can keep our citizen skills sharp by voting in the elections. We can keep our homes and properties in good condition. We can thank the emergency people who protect us.

Religion

Religious responsibilities are a personal choice. Some may have many and some may have none. It is important for you to figure out what it is you believe and just how much religion is appropriate for you and your lifestyle. Once you’d determined that religion will be a part of your life, it is important to align your other responsibilities and choices with your religious ideals. This does not necessarily mean you can’t have one or the other, but for example, surrounding yourself with like-minded people strengthens the bond and balance between each set of responsibilities.

Education

When we talk about educational responsibilities, “book learning” is not the only important thing. It’s important to satisfy and cultivate your other curiosities and interests. For some that need might be taking a class at the local recreation center on ballroom dancing; for others it might be learning a foreign language. Whatever it is that will keep your mind learning and being used – those are the things you need to do.

Social

Lastly are social responsibilities. These vary by the person. Some are content with their family being their social outlet; others need outside interaction and relationships to help maintain a balanced lifestyle. Whatever your social needs are, make sure that you dedicate time to it and do things that you enjoy. While it’s important to stay on the ball regarding the other responsibilities, we all need time outs from everyday life.

It is easier to keep your life balanced when you are able to identify what is out of balance and how to bring it back into balance. If you like writing, I recommend keeping a daily journal. If that’s just not your thing, or your schedule doesn’t allow for it, technology today makes it so easy to just write yourself a little “sticky” note about various responsibilities. Even a small reminder to take the garbage out can take loads of stress off. And, with time, these basic habits will develop and lead to a fuller, more balanced life.

Adam Jacob is a guest writer for FrugalDad. FrugalDad.com is a personal finance blog specializing in frugal living and how to use coupons. If you want to write for Faith and Finance, find out more here.

]]>http://www.faithandfinance.org/2014/11/life-balance-how-to-keep-it-together/feed/2http://www.faithandfinance.org/2014/11/life-balance-how-to-keep-it-together/Budgeting Bliss: 5 Steps on How To Get There, and When To Send the Old Budget Packinghttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FaithAndFinance/~3/dHpybQIKz24/
http://www.faithandfinance.org/2014/10/budgeting-bliss-5-steps-on-how-to-get-there-and-when-to-send-the-old-budget-packing/#commentsMon, 27 Oct 2014 12:00:11 +0000http://www.faithandfinance.org/?p=1146

Admit it. You can’t afford not to budget. There are plenty of people out there who–despite their six-figure income–still find themselves in a vicious paycheck to paycheck cycle. The only way out? Budget. A good budget fits snuggly, but isn’t suffocating. It gives direction but isn’t overbearing. A real budget is constructive, not constrictive. My guess is, you’ve been in a bad-budget relationship most of your adult life. That good-for-nothing budget promised you extra money in your account and an end to your problems. Instead, you found nothing but store-brand beans, frustration, and a building sense of failure. You probably left the budget, then came back. Left, came back. Apologized. Left. Came back. Left. It isn’t you Budget, it’s me. I just can’t do this. It’s too hard. Budgeting shouldn’t be dramatic. Healthy money management isn’t painful. When set up right, a budget is empowering. Let me assuage your fears (and let me use the word “assuage”) by helping you avoid some common budgeting mistakes.

1. Don’t jump the gun.

Only budget money you already have. Forecasting creates more hurt than help. Budgeting only what you have in your accounts right now gives you more control and helps you make better decisions. Add on top of this a zero-based budgeting approach, and you’ll never exceed what you have on hand. This prevents future “budget failure” (i.e. you failing to realize how much money you really have). The control you’ll feel over your money will certainly spur you on to continue budgeting.

2. Spontaneous budgeting doesn’t work.

Until now, you’ve most likely been a reactive spender. An expense presents itself, you mentally process its level of importance right then, and either spend the money, or walk away. More often than not, it’s not a necessity, but you purchase anyway, and eventually feel guilty. It’s never effective to decide on-the-fly about your purchases. Determine your budget goals at the beginning of each month while you’re not having an emotional reaction to some slick marketing. A budget will transport you into the world of pro-active spending—a place where you base your spending on personal priorities. No more pressure situations of “Should I, shouldn’t” when those $50 boots are staring up at you from the table. How much money is left in your shopping category? $27? Sorry Charlie. $62? Go for it. A budget is just another word for “plan.” So figure it out ahead of time and enjoy a life of guilt-free spending.

3. Record all of your purchases.

There’s no short-cutting this. Keeping track of your spending habits builds much-needed awareness. It might be a painful lesson once you realize you’ve been spending $200 on eating out every month, but better to learn that now rather than years later. Once you gain a sharper understanding of where your money is going, you’ll be able to make positive change. Record what you spend. Record. Record. Record.

4. Overspending is inevitable.

You WILL overspend. Overspending in one of your budget categories is part of the learning process. It doesn’t mean you failed—it means you gained knowledge and experience that can be applied to next month’s budget. Ooh I went $30 over my Grocery category. But I didn’t spend as much in Gifts as I thought I would. I’ll adjust those amounts for next time. Don’t let a failure mentality overtake your efforts to consistently budget. It will be pretty hit and miss at the beginning. Stay with it, keep a close eye on how each of your categories are doing, and pretty soon, you’ll be amazed at how tuned-in you are with your spending.

5. Nothing is static—especially money, and even more especially—Life.

Things happen. Expensive things. A good budget won’t be rigid or unyielding, rather it will ebb and flow with your needs. That’s not to say there’s no accountability. Pay back those categories where you overspent before budgeting for the next month. This prevents an “oops, ah well,” mentality. Your budget is there to correct you. Let it do its job by honoring the spending boundaries you set for yourself. Build a budget on these five, simple steps and you’ll find your life filled with more than store-brand beans. You’ll feel peace of mind, control, and clarity. Budgets aren’t bad. Bad budgets are bad. Learn how to create a living, intuitive budget and you’ll be amazed how your money situation is transformed. Welcome to budgeting bliss. Jesse Mecham is founder of the financial software company, YouNeedaBudget.com—because you do! Based on four fail-safe rules, Jesse’s revolutionary software teaches a method that helps people break the paycheck to paycheck cycle, get out of debt, and save more money faster. You haven’t budgeted like this. If you haven’t heard of You Need a Budget, click on this link to view the YNAB tour.

]]>http://www.faithandfinance.org/2014/10/budgeting-bliss-5-steps-on-how-to-get-there-and-when-to-send-the-old-budget-packing/feed/2http://www.faithandfinance.org/2014/10/budgeting-bliss-5-steps-on-how-to-get-there-and-when-to-send-the-old-budget-packing/5 Helpful Moving Tips: What To Do When You’re About to Movehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FaithAndFinance/~3/7LXz9MNVRws/
http://www.faithandfinance.org/5-helpful-moving-tips/#commentsThu, 16 Oct 2014 13:00:34 +0000http://www.faithandfinance.org/?p=2884

Moving usually isn’t the most enjoyable thing to do, especially if you’re making a move in the heat of summer. You have to consider all sorts of things like travel logistics, getting your stuff (which always seems to multiply) into a moving truck (which always seems to be smaller than you thought), and setting up everything at your new place.

Sure, actually moving your stuff might take a weekend but there are a few things you should do ahead of time to make your move go as planned. Since moving into a new place usually doesn’t happen often, most people are just not sure what to do when moving.

Don’t let your big move sneak up on you. Get organized and plan ahead with these moving tips. You’ll be glad you did.

5 Things to Remember When Moving

1. Start Looking Early

Assuming you don’t already have a place, you’ll need to lock this part in right away. When we were planning on moving to a new city for my wife to attend medical school, we started looking at rentals 6 months in advance. College towns can fill up fast, so make sure you’re ahead of the curve by at least 3-6 months if you can. A Wall Street Journal article cited that rents can rise up to 20% in the summer months, so save your budget by starting your hunt early.

2. Read Your Contract Carefully

Remember that lease you signed a while back? Dust it off and review it before you move. Chances are that you’ll need to meet certain requirements before you get your deposit back. If there are repairs that need done to your apartment or rental, request the repairs a few months before your lease expires. This will give your landlord the time to make the fixes and could save you headaches when it’s time for the final run through in your old place.

As for your new place, look over your lease carefully. Ask about the likelihood of getting your full deposit back. Ask about maintenance items that each party is responsible for managing. Also, be sure you completely understand the terms for breaking the lease early.

3. Contact Utilities and Service Providers

If you’re moving in the summer, the last thing you want is to unpack your stuff into a house that is 85 degrees inside. While most places maintain basic services between tenants, it’s not guaranteed that your electricity will be turned on for your move in day. Do yourself a favor and call the utility companies (water, electric, sewer, gas, etc) a week or two before so that your billing information is set up and your services are in place. Don’t forget other services like trash, internet, and cable too!

4. Notify Your Insurance Provider

Whether you’re moving into a new home that you’ve purchased or an apartment or rental house, you need to remember your insurance. If you are purchasing a new place without a 20% down payment, your private mortgage insurance should already be set up as your work out your loan details. But don’t forget about homeowners and renters insurance to protect the stuff inside your home. A simple policy may cost you $150 a year and can replace thousands of dollars worth of your items if something happened to your new home. As you’re reviewing your insurance, this is a good time to contact your car insurance provider as well to see if your policy will change with the move.

5. Change Your Address

The U.S. Postal Service makes changing your address really easy through their online address change process. In a matter of minutes, you can set up a forwarding address that can take effect in just a day or so. Don’t wait until the last minute to request the change – schedule your move and notify the post office at least 2 weeks out from your move.

]]>http://www.faithandfinance.org/5-helpful-moving-tips/feed/0http://www.faithandfinance.org/5-helpful-moving-tips/How Much Should You Have in Your Emergency Fund?http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FaithAndFinance/~3/tZuM6PnqUiQ/
http://www.faithandfinance.org/how-much-should-you-have-in-your-emergency-fund/#commentsWed, 13 Aug 2014 13:32:03 +0000http://www.faithandfinance.org/?p=2953

Everyone should have an emergency fund, no one disagrees with that. But there is considerable variation in opinions as to how large an emergency fund should be. The specific size should always be based on a combination of individual needs and preferences, but if you’re looking for some guidance, below are some recommendations.

A $1,000 emergency fund

The idea of a $1,000 emergency fund has grown quite popular, not the least of which since it’s been advocated heavily by Dave Ramsey. While I think this is a good start for someone who has no savings at all, it’s also a reality that $1,000 doesn’t cover too much anymore.

It will cover a relatively modest car repair, and modest today means somewhere in the $500 to $1,000 range. But it won’t cover the heavier repairs, such as replacement of a transmission or your cars computer. It won’t even cover the typical monthly housing payment or the deductible on a health insurance plan. Get hit with any of these emergencies and while your $1,000 emergency fund will certainly help, you’ll be scurrying to find the rest of the money you need elsewhere.

I tend to think of a $1,000 emergency fund as a starter fund—you get it built up to this point, but then you keep adding to it quickly. Emergencies, after all, can hit quicker than you can save money for them.

30 days of living expenses

For most people, this should really be the minimum goal. For one thing, an emergency fund equal to 30 days of living expenses will give you breathing room in a job loss until unemployment checks begin arriving. And apart from unemployment benefits, you’ll also have some time to consider and begin initiating a job hunting strategy. Job losses are often followed by a period of emotional adjustment, and it will help to know that you’ll at least have necessities covered while you regroup.

Another reason that 30 days is a better target is because it will probably represent several thousand dollars and that will do a much better job of covering major car repairs, medical deductibles and other large and unexpected bills.

3-6 months of living expenses

This is the range where we’re starting to talk about a truly credible emergency fund. Not only will several months living expenses give you more time in a job loss, but it also has the capacity to cover multiple emergencies. It’s not at all inconceivable, for example, to have a major car repair occurring at about the same time as a job loss. With 3-6 months put away you’d be able to deal with both.

The conventional thinking is that three months expenses works best for those with stable income sources, such as salaries or pensions, while six months is the better target for those with variable incomes. Those who are self-employed, work on commission, or contract workers would fall into this category.

Known contingencies

Still another way to determine the size of your emergency fund could be based on known contingencies. For example, let’s say your health insurance deductible is $2,000, the upper range on the cost of a major car repair is $2,000, and you have a $500 deductible on your car insurance; by adding the three together, you decide that $4,500 will be a sufficient emergency fund.

You can also add 30 days living expenses to it and if you do you’ll be covered come what may. One of the real advantages to constructing your emergency fund this way is that you’ll be in position to deal with multiple emergencies without being tapped out when they’re over. That’s a true emergency fund.

What ever size fund you start out with, keep it growing!

No matter what the initial size of your emergency fund, plan to keep adding to it. There are at least five reasons why your fund should grow over time:

The cost of living rises over time

Expenses tend to rise with higher income and that should be reflected in your fund

There are more emergencies than we generally think, especially if you have children

As emergencies arise, your emergency fund will need to be replenished

Generally speaking, it’s better to have an emergency fund that’s a little too big, than one that’s a little too small

1. Pay God First

Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. It’s important to understand that money shouldn’t’ be the sole reason behind why we work each day. Our hope doesn’t lie in the dollar, euro, or gold; it’s founded on Christ. Personal finance is no different. When we acknowledge our dependence on Christ, we can start to see how faithful God really is. This is why giving is so important. We give so that others might hear the Gospel and find the same hope that we have

2. Pay Yourself Second

You may have heard of the 10-10-80 principle: Pay God 10%, Pay Yourself 10%, Pay the bills with 80%. For some, that may seem impossible in your current financial situation. There’s no magic way to suddenly change your financial picture so that you can use 80% of your income to pay bills and give/save the other 20%. The reality is that it’s easiest when you implement this practice early and make it a priority.

3. Roth IRAs are Awesome

Saving for your future doesn’t need to be complicated. Putting money aside in a Roth IRA can mean huge tax savings for you in the future. Remember, the contributions you make into a Roth IRA have already been taxed, so both the earnings and principal within the IRA will be distributed tax free.

4. Take the Match!

If you aren’t taking advantage of your employer’s 401(k) match, you’re leaving free money on the table. You can’t afford not to take the match, so always be sure to contribute as much to a 401(k) or 403(b) that will qualify you for any company match.

5. Build an Emergency Fund

Having 3-6 months of expenses is an excellent goal for someone who has already created a baby emergency fund of $1,000. If you have to tap into your emergency fund, make it a habit to refill the emergency fund as soon as possible!

It WILL take a little time to work and rework your budget. Don’t let it frustrate you. Instead, try to use Mint.com to help you track your money more effectively.

7. Spend Less Than You Make

Sounds too simple, but it’s true. It goes hand in hand with creating a budget, and should be a no brainer. Unfortunately, credit card debt is still a problem in America today, which tells me that we’re living on borrowed money.

8. Eliminate Debt with Fury

The borrower is slave to the lender. Do all that you can to pay down debt as fast as you can. Put every spare dollar towards debt and you’ll soon realize the freedom that comes with being debt free.

9. Invest Wisely

Don’t invest in something that you don’t understand. Look for a well-respected mutual fund company and select a fund that provides solid diversification. Don’t chase returns and neglect diversification.

10. Use Insurance Properly

Whether you’re looking for car insurance or finding rates for term life insurance, be sure that you don’t compromise your coverage for the monthly premium. Also, it’s always wise to do your research before signing the contract with an insurance company as there are often many caveats and fine print that can be overlooked if you aren’t carful.

11. An Investment Increases in Value

Unfortunately, I’ve heard the following items called ‘investments’: cars, clothes, and electronics. Unless you’re buying a very rare car or a collectible, these items are simply expenses. A real investment will increase in value and provide a return for your investment.

12. Invest for the Long Term

With the recent market crashes, the news has been highlighting the negative investor sentiment that seems to be dictating the markets. Too many decisions are made emotionally and cause investors to lose out on future gains. If you’re truly in it for the ‘long haul’ make sure you keep your emotions out of your investment decisions as much as possible.

13. Side Income is Achievable

You can make money with your passion. With a little creativity and a lot of persistence, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t have opportunities to make as little as $50 each month to $500 or more by doing what you love on the side.

14. Keep Impulse Out of Your Purchases

This can be a challenge, especially with the holidays coming soon. One of the best pieces of advice that I’ve ever heard regarding impulse spending was to create a 30 day rule. Before you buy something on impulse, make it a point to wait 30 days before you buy. If you’re still passionate about buying it, give it some serious thought. If you’re over it, you’ve just successfully saved yourself some money!

15. Enjoy Your Money

There’s a careful balance that you need to keep as you become better at managing your personal finances. If you don’t leave room for enjoyment, you’ll soon become a slave to your budget and feel overwhelmed and trapped by it. Make it a point to have a little fun money each month and reward yourself (within reason) for a job well done.

16. Generosity is Contagious

We started by acknowledging that all our resources are from God and that we can use our finances to spread the Gospel. Outside of giving to your church or to missions, you can practice generosity in the smallest of areas. Sometimes the small things like paying for a friend’s coffee, buying lunch for someone, or buying some school supplies for a teacher in need can speak volumes! What better way to share God’s provision in your own life than by providing for someone in need!

The thought of being an expert at anything can be intimidating, especially when it comes to money. But you don’t need a degree in finance to become a money saving expert. You just need a little creativity and an open mind.

If you’re tired of living paycheck to paycheck, you can learn to spend less and save more with these money saving tips. But before you can really succeed, you need to:

- Have a plan
Your budget and savings plan need to have clear goals for how much you’ll spend and also save. It’s a two way street here and you want to set the right expectations or you’ll get lost!

- Change your mindset
You CAN be good at saving money. Don’t let past failures keep you from succeeding now. Today is the best day to start fresh!

- Follow this simple principle:Spend less than what you make. It’s simple, but it really comes down to this.

I didn’t expound on these general tips because most are self-explanatory and some are simply idea generating tips. If you’re like me, I can usually think of a few good ideas when I read a couple of tips, so if you do, be sure to share them in the comments!

Controlling Monthly Entertainment

– Cut cable or trim satellite package
– Use Redbox instead of the movie store
– Use Netflix instead of cable
– Set specific days of the month for eating out
– Go to the matinee instead of the evening movie
– Make your own coffee or set aside cash only for your mochas

Saving for retirement comes with a dizzying array of options. Which retirement account should you choose? Which investments within that account do you really need? What if you make the wrong account choice and can’t get a specific investment that you need? With so many options many people find themselves in analysis paralysis. They aren’t sure which the best decision is, so they don’t make any decision at all. This delays their investment of funds for retirement which eventually means their nest egg isn’t as large as it could have been.

Why Your 401k Should Be Your First Retirement Investing Option

In the sea of retirement options your 401k sits like a lighthouse on the shore, guiding you to retirement. Utilizing your 401k is one of the best retirement decisions you can make. Here are three reasons you should be investing in your 401k.

It’s Easy

Sometimes the best investing decision you can make is the easiest one. Your 401k is already associated to your employment, and you have easy access to change your investments, your allocations, and how much money comes out of each of your paychecks to put in your retirement account. You don’t have to think about all of those calculations outside of work – it is all right there in front of you. There’s no need to decide which broker to go with or having to deal with the hassle of setting up automatic withdrawals. It’s all tied to your payroll department, which makes changes a lot easier.

It’s Free Money

A majority of employers that sponsor a 401k retirement plan also offer some sort of matching money for your investments. Matches can be as generous as a dollar for dollar match up to a certain percentage of your salary or as low as a set dollar amount regardless of how much money you save within the plan. No matter how stingy your employer match is, as long as you are getting a match of some kind on the money you save you should put money into your retirement plan. If your plan limits your employer match to a certain dollar amount, try to put at least that much money into the plan before changing to another retirement account. If you don’t get the full employer match offered you are essentially turning down absolutely free money.

It’s Already Setup For You

When you start work your employer hands you a packet of boring but critical information about time off, benefits, and your retirement plan. Many employers now automatically enroll you into the 401k plan into a conservative money market fund at 3% of your pay. You have to read the forms and intentionally opt out if you don’t want to automatically open the account. Employers do this because they know inertia can kill your decision to open an account. You would decide to review your options and “some day” open your 401k. “Some day” turns into years, and your retirement is negatively impacted. If they automatically enroll you at 3% you probably won’t notice the money taken from your check, and at least you will have some progress toward retirement. And just because your employer automatically enrolls you doesn’t mean you shouldn’t change where the money is being invested – companies don’t want to be blamed for market losses so you are usually enrolled into the safest (and thus, lowest return) investment offered within the 401k.

Kevin Mulligan is a debt reduction champion with a passion for teaching people how to budget and stay out of debt. He’s building a personal finance freelance writing career and has written for RothIRA.com, Moolanomy, ING Direct, and many others.